To master anything, we must first learn to master ourselves. Today’s author promises to teach us the power of self-discipline and balance and cautions us against the perils of extravagance and hedonism. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on their own journeys toward self-mastery. Links Support the Show Raycast FBP Community 2023 Focused NeuYear […]
157: The Laws of Creativity by Joey Cofone
Today’s author attempts to help demystify the creative process by uncovering the thinking and science behind it. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to unlock their creative potential. Links Support the Show Apple Watch Series 8 Raycast Paste app Focused #163: The Laws of Creativity, with Joey Cofone The Laws of Creativity by Joey […]
156: Ritual by Dimitris Xygalatas
Have you ever paused to think about why we participate in communal ceremonies? Today’s author attempts to explain the subtle mechanics that bind us together. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the role of rituals in human life. Links Support the Show Apple Watch Series 8 Linking Your Thinking Mastering ConvertKit Ritual by Dimitris […]
155: Where Good Ideas Come From by Stephen Johnson
Ever wonder what sparks a flash of brilliance or what kind of environment creates eureka moments? Today’s author dissects the science of breakthroughs and identifies seven key patterns behind genuine innovation. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the question: where do good ideas come from? Links Support the Show Mike’s Daily Questions Video Where […]
154: The Great Mental Models Volume 2 by Rhiannon Beaubien and Shane Parrish
Today’s book revisits the topic of mental models by examining cognitive tools from the domains of chemistry, biology, and physics. Join Joe & Mike as they continue to develop their mental toolboxes. Links Support the Show The Great Mental Models, Volume 2 Bookworm #113: The Great Mental Models, Volume 1 Bookworm #124: Liminal Thinking Bookworm […]
153: I Didn’t Do the Thing Today by Madeline Dore
If you’ve ever been frustrated with the endless pursuit of productivity perfection, today’s episode is for you. Join Joe & Mike as they embrace the joyful messiness and unpredictability of life. Links Support the Show Bookworm iPhone cases Intentional Family #64: Meet The Buhligs MindNode Bookworm #135: Four Thousand Weeks Acorn Ridge I Didn’t Do […]
152: Mind Map Mastery by Tony Buzan
Can using mind maps really help you get more organized, improve your memory, or plan your business strategy? Today’s author (and self-professed mind map inventor) promises to help us take our thinking to the next level. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the role of mind mapping as a creative thinking tool. Links Support […]
151: The Story of You by Ian Morgan Cron
Today’s author (and licensed psychotherapist) promises to help us break free from our self-defeating patterns of behavior and write a new story for ourselves. Join Joe & Mike as they examine the Enneagram in an effort to become who they were truly meant to be. Links Support the Show Tracker plugin for Obsidian Bookworm #80: […]
150: Do the Hard Things First by Scott Allan
Today’s author promises to help us end self-sabotage and rewire our habits for doing difficult work now. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to beat procrastination once and for all. Links Support the Show StandOut assessment Bookworm #149: Work + Love Unique Ability 2.0 Kolbe Type A StrengthsFinder Joe’s wood pile sorter Do the […]
149: Love + Work by Marcus Buckingham
Today’s author promises to help us break free from conformity to discover what engages us and makes us thrive. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the role of love through creativity, collaboration, and excellence in the workplace and beyond. Links Support the Show Obsidian Quick Note Shortcut Bookworm #148: Building a Second Brain Daily […]
148: Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte
We live in the information age, but it often leaves us feeling overwhelmed. Today’s author promises to help us develop a system for personal knowledge management that enables us to make sense of it all. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a journey to build their second brains. Links Support the Show Building […]
147: Hero on a Mission by Donald Miller
Do you know your life purpose? Today’s author promises to help us find it and bring fulfillment through our life and work. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a journey to live more meaningful lives. Links Support the Show Bookworm Stats Hero on a Mission by Donald Miller Blue Like Jazz by Donald […]
146: Bittersweet by Susan Cain
Today’s author argues that a melancholic outlook on life can be the key to creativity, connection, and transcendence. Join Joe & Mike as they explore what bittersweetness can teach us about compassion, leadership, spirituality, mortality, and love. Links Support the Show Bittersweet by Susan Cain Bookworm #67: Quiet Why You Will Marry the Wrong Person […]
145: Things That Matter by Joshua Becker
Everyone wants to live a meaningful life. Today’s author promises to help us identify the obstacles that keep us from living with intention so we can focus on what matters most. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a quest to identify their purpose and find lasting meaning. Links Support the Show Joe’s Live […]
144: Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
Everything is a remix. Today’s author encourages us to embrace our influences to discover our own paths. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to get in touch with their artistic side and build a more creative life. Links Support the Show Obsidian Multiplayer plugin How to Read People Like a Book by Patrick King […]
143: The Messy Middle by Scott Belsky
Everyone loves talking about starts and finishes, but no one likes talking about the hard part in-between. Join Joe as they embrace the messy middle and attempt to find their way on their own creative projects. Links Support the Show Joe’s Working with OmniFocus course Part-Time YouTuber Academy Ship 30 for 30 Pencil Pirates Bookworm […]
142: Yes to Life by Victor Frankl
Joe & Mike tackle another Victor Frankl book as they consider purpose, value, and the meaning of life. Links Support the Show Bookworm #44: Man’s Search for Meaning Mike’s Newsletter Part-Time YouTuber Academy Ship 30 for 30 signup You Can Learn the Bible Yes to Life by Victor Frankl Bookworm #69: Emotional Intelligence Bookworm #74: […]
141: Creative Calling by Chase Jarvis
Do you consider yourself to be “creative?” Whether you’re an artist or an engineer, today’s author argues that creativity isn’t a skill—it’s a habit available to everyone. Join Joe & Mike as they seek to establish their own creative practices. Links Support the Show Bookworm #140: Unwinding Anxiety Bookworm #89: Zen & The Art of […]
140: Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer
The world has never been more anxious. But today’s author promises to help us uproot anxiety at its source using brain-based techniques. Join Joe & Mike as they fight their own sense overwhelm with mindfulness and curiosity. Links Support the Show Keyboard Maestro Stream Deck Bookworm #139: Personal Socrates Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer Bookworm […]
Quick Update
This is a first. We need to skip a release week due to health and vacation. We’ll be back on schedule in two weeks with our next episode. Links Support the Show Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer Creative Calling by Chase Jarvis Bookworm YouTube channel Join the Club Recommend a Book Book List Leave a […]
139: Personal Socrates by Marc Champagne
At any point, we are one question away from a different life. And today’s author gives us 100+ questions from 40+ profiles of legendary achievers to help bring clarity, intentionality, and possibility to every aspect of our lives. Links Support the Show 20 Podcasts That Made Me a Millionaire | Ali Abdaal My Best Podcasts […]
138: How to Change by Katy Milkman
Do you know what’s standing between you and success? Today’s author promises to help us overcome common barriers to change like impulsivity, procrastination, and forgetfulness. Join Joe & Mike as they take yet another look at the science of behavioral change. Links Support the Show Joe’s Task Management Diagram Bookworm #137: Atlas of the Heart […]
137: Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
Today’s author condenses two decades worth of research into a comprehensive guide for mapping meaningful connections. Join Joe & Mike as they consider emotions and explore the language of human experience. Links Support the Show 2022: The Year of Recalibration The 5am Club by Robin Sharma Concept 2 Model D Atlas of the Heart by […]
136: Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows
Systems are all around us. Many of the problems we face every day (big & small) are simply systems failures. Today’s author attempts to help us develop the systems-thinking skills we need to avoid confusion find more effective solutions. Links Support the Show Bookworm #135: Four Thousand Weeks Thining in Systems by Donella Meadows Mike’s […]
135: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
Nobody needs telling there isn’t enough time. Today’s author encourages us to reject the idea of getting everything done by recognizing our time on earth is short. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a journey to embrace their own finitude. Links Support the Show Remarkable Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman Bookworm #91: […]
134: Self Control – It’s Kingship and Majesty by William George Jordan
What can we learn about productivity from a book written over 100 years ago? Turns out, quite a lot. Join Joe & Mike as they examine the oldest Bookworm book yet. Links Support the Show Bookworm #34: Think & Grow Rich Bookworm #133: Soundtracks Bookworm #38: Mindset Self Control – It’s Kingship & Majesty by […]
133: Soundtracks by Jon Acuff
Today’s author promises to help change overthinking from a super problem into a superpower. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to change their thoughts as they DJ their own mental soundtracks. Links Support the Show Bookworm Sweatshirt The Focused calendar Daily Content Machine Focused 134: Finding Space with Sean McCabe Overlap by Sean McCabe […]
132: So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport
If you’re trying to live a remarkable life, today’s author argues that “follow your passion” is terrible advice. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the craftsman mindset in an effort to collect their own career capital. Links Support the Show Focused #138: Hyper-Scheduling Revisited Email Lessons from Napoleon Bonaparte So Good They Can’t Ignore […]
131: A Minute to Think by Juliet Funt
Do you yearn for freedom from the constant reactivity? Today’s author promises to show us how to reclaim time for thinking and make room for what truly matters. Join Joe & Mike as they fight their own battles against busyness. Links Support the Show Bookworm #43: Flow Bookworm #25: Grit Creativity by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Keychron […]
130: Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday
Today’s author promises to show us how to conquer our fear and practice courage in our daily lives. Join Joe & Mike as they wrestle with what it means to live a heroic, courageous life. Links Support the Show Bookworm #129: The Extended Mind Focused Personal Retreat Handbook Obsidian (DING!) GoodNotes Courage by Ryan Holiday […]
129: The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul
Today’s author teaches us how to employ a host of “extra-neural” resources — the feelings and movements of our bodies, the physical spaces in which we learn and work, and the minds of those around us — to focus more intently, comprehend more deeply, and create more imaginatively. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt […]
128: Daily Rituals by Mason Currey
Today’s author takes us on a tour of daily rituals from inspired novelists, poets, playwrights, painters, philosophers, scientists, and mathematicians to describe how they live and work. Join Joe & Mike as they consider their own routines in an effort to become just a little more productive and creative. Links Support the Show Relay FM […]
127: The Art of the Idea by John Hunt
Today’s author attempts to teach us to redefine our world through the power of original thinking. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the creative process in an effort to make the most of their own ideas. Links Support the Show Elgato LP Wave Boom Arm meross Smart Power Strip 23andMe DNA Testing Kit Obsidian […]
126: The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest
Today’s author promises to help us act as our highest potential selves by extracting crucial insight from our most damaging habits, building emotional intelligence by better understanding our brains and bodies, and releasing past experiences at a cellular level. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a journey to figure out why we as […]
125: Willpower Doesn’t Work by Benjamin Hardy
We rely on willpower to create change in our lives… but what if we’re thinking about it all wrong? Join Joe & Mike as they consider their environments and the impact they have on their productivity. Links Support the Show To Obsidian and Beyond Liminal Thinking website Willpower Doesn’t Work by Benjamin Hardy Bookworm #121: […]
124: Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray
Our beliefs form the basis of everything we say, think, and do. Modifying them can be hard, but today’s author tries to teach us how to make it easier. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to change their minds – and their behavior. Links Support the Show Obsidian Mobile The Sweet Setup Obsidian Course […]
123: Procrastinate on Purpose by Rory Vaden
For a long time, “procrastination” has been a four-letter in the productivity world. But today’s author attempts to turn it around by giving us five permissions in hopes of setting us free to do our best work. Join Joe & Mike as they consider yet another system designed to help clear the clutter and focus […]
122: Digital Body Language by Erica Dhawan
We rely on body language to connect and build trust, but that can be difficult from behind a screen. Today’s author teaches us to decode and signals and use proper cues to make that a little bit easier. Join Joe & Mike as they seek to improve their own communication skills for the digital age. […]
121: Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
Too many workplaces are driven by cynicism, paranoia, and self-interest. But today’s author shows us how the best ones foster trust and cooperation by separating the security inside the team from the challenges outside. Join Joe & Mike as they try to expand their own circles of safety. Links Support the Show Obsidian MacVoices Obsidian […]
120: The Now Habit by Neil Fiore
Procrastination is a problem we all have to deal with. But today’s author promises a comprehensive plan to help us lower our stress and increase our time to enjoy guilt-free play. Join Joe & Mike as they consider how they can eliminate anxiety brought on by their own negative habits of procrastination and perfectionism. Links […]
119: Effortless by Greg McKeown
High-achievers have been conditioned to believe that the path to success is paved with relentless work. But today’s author challenges us to stop pushing harder and find an easier path. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a journey to make their most essential activities the easiest ones. Links Support the Show The Hitchhiker’s […]
118: Work the System by Sam Carpenter
Tired of playing Whac-a-Mole with todo lists that never seem to get any shorter? Today’s author says the real problem is our broken systems that consistently produce frustrating results. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a journey to change their perspective and apply the systems mindset to their own lives. Links Support the […]
117: Think Again by Adam Grant
Most of us favor the comfort of conviction and avoid the discomfort of doubt. But today’s author invites us to let go of our firmly held beliefs and open up our minds through the process of unlearning rethinking. Join Joe & Mike as they embrace their own limitations and discover the joy in being wrong. […]
116: The Art of Witty Banter by Patrick King
Goodbye awkward silence, hello conversational agility! Today’s author promises to teach you how to think quickly on your feet, be incredibly smooth, funny, and clever – all at once. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on their journey to discover the art, nuance, and mechanics of banter and charm. Links Support the Show Keychron […]
115: A World Without Email by Cal Newport
The modern knowledge worker is engaged in a constant battle against the hyperactive hive mind. While we’ve become so accustomed to an inbox-driven workday that it’s hard to imagine alternatives, today’s author argues that they do in fact exist. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the possibility of a future without email. Links Support […]
114: Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke
Even great decisions don’t always yield the best outcomes every time. Today’s author (and former World Series of Poker champion turned business consultant) teaches us how to make better decisions by embracing the element of luck and simply considering the odds. Links Support the Show Obsidian Obsidian-Git plugin 1Writer Pretext Joe’s webinar w/ Emma Bogdan’s […]
113: The Great Mental Models Volume 1 by Rhiannon Beaubien and Shane Parrish
Mental models can help you make better decisions by changing how you see the world. In today’s book, Joe & Mike take a look at nine of the most versatile all-purpose mental models in an effort to make better decisions by seeing things more clearly. Links Support the Show Obsidian Obsidian-Git plugin Roam Research (ding?) […]
112: The Organised Writer by Antony Johnston
Writing is hard. But today’s author promises that if you take a weekend and set up the proper system, it can be made a lot easier. Join Joe & Mike as they consider what it means to be an organised writer. Links Support the Show NerdFitness Concept2 Model D Amazon Basics Kettlebell Iron Age Pullup […]
111: Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink
Many books promise to help you overcome obstacles and reach your goals. But it’s still up to you to take action – which is why they often don’t work. Today’s drill sergeant (er, author) put the the blame and power where it belongs – on you. Join & Mike as they report to boot camp […]
110: Lead Yourself First by Raymond Kethledge & Michael Erwin
Throughout history, leaders have used solitude to make better decisions. Today’s book shares firsthand historical accounts in an effort to show how solitude can help gain clarity, spur creativity, sustain emotional balance, and generate moral courage for when it matters most. Join Joe & Mike as they explore the topic of solitude and all of […]